THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF Transpersonal Studies Volume 24, 2005 Table of Contents Editors’ Introduction ii Harris Friedman and Douglas A. MacDonald Nondualism and the Divine Domain 1 Burton Daniels Higher Self—Spark of the Mind—Summit of the Soul: Early History of an Important Concept of Transpersonal Psychology in the West 16 Harald Walach The Myth of Nature and the Nature of Myth: Becoming Transparent to Transcendence 29 Dennis Patrick Slattery Myth, Archetype and the Neutral Mask: Actor Training and Transformation in Light of the Work of Joseph Campbell and Stanislav Grof 37 Ashley Wain The Sources of Higher States of Consciousness 48 Steve Taylor Fear No Spirits: A Pilgrim’s Journey through the Brazilian Churches of Ayahuasca 61 Robert Tindall Why Does the Universe Exist? An Advaita Vedantic Perspective 69 Adam J. Rock SPECIAL TOPIC: RUSSIAN SOUL: A REPORT FROM THE EUROPEAN TRANSPERSONAL ASSOCIATION 2005 CONFERENCE IN MOSCOW 77 Russian Soul: Introduction 77 Glenn Hartelius The Transpersonal Tradition in Russian Culture 78 Vladimir Maykov Synthesis and Plurality: Stories of the Self 79 Jason Wright The Psychic Defense 82 Vitor Rodrigues On Therapy by Means of Spiritual Culture 85 Mark E. Burno Creativity Lies at the Edge of Disintegration: Addressing the Shadow of Power and Leadership within Psychotherapy Training Organisations 87 Rupert Kinglake Tower We Were Made for These Times 90 Tanna Jakubowicz-Mount READER’S COMMENTARY A Love Letter 92 Kidder Smith About Our Contributors 94 Board of Editors 96 Editorial Policy and Manuscript Submission Guidelines 97 Back Issues 98 Editors’ Introduction his volume of the International Journal of explores actor training using the “neutral mask” from a Transpersonal Studies includes an eclectic group transpersonal perspective based on the works of Joseph Tof writings from a variety of areas within Campbell and Stanislav Grof. The mask is discussed as transpersonal studies. The issue’s first article is a transformative vehicle and as a way to study myths “Nondualism and the Divine Domain” by Burton and archetypes. Daniels. Ken Wilber’s theory of nondualism is com- Steve Taylor, in the “The Sources of Higher States pared and contrasted with an alternative perspective as of Consciousness,” argues that higher states of con- taught by Adi Da. When explicated this way, serious sciousness can result from either disruption of normal differences between the two accounts become striking- homeostasis or intensification of consciousness-energy. ly clear, providing a thought-provoking journey He concludes that only the second type can lead to addressing what is perhaps both the most important long-term changes in positively integrating higher and esoteric aspect of transpersonal studies, namely states of consciousness. what can be said about ultimate nondual enlighten- Next is “Fear No Spirits: A Pilgrim’s Journey ment. through the Brazilian Churches of Ayahuasca,” by Next, Harald Walach writes in “Higher Self–Spark Robert Tindall. His delightful telling of experiences of the Mind–Summit of the Soul: Early History of an within various religious traditions using ayahausca in Important Concept of Transpersonal Psychology in the Brazil brings these experiences near to the reader’s West” about the historical origins of the notion of the imagination. higher Self as introduced by Roberto Assagioli in psy- Following this, Adam J. Rock explores one of the chosynthesis. This notion has origins stemming from most fundamental of metaphysical debates in his antiquity, especially through the neo-Platonic tradi- paper, “Why Does the Universe Exist? An Advaita tion. The importance of transpersonal psychologists Vedantic Perspective.” He distinguishes between a pri- understanding the traditional roots for many of the ori and a posteriori propositions in addressing this field’s core concepts is emphasized, as well as is the question, the latter approach being supported experi- need for achieving theoretical and scientific integration entially through altered states of consciousness. The based on such concepts. insights derived are quite different from those usually In “The Myth of Nature and the Nature of Myth: debated. Becoming Transparent to Transcendence,” Dennis Transpersonal psychology remains a vibrant force Patrick Slattery compares Joseph Campbell’s writings in the world, as exemplified by the 2005 European on mythology with the poetry of John Keats. He dis- Transpersonal Association conference on “Human cusses the power of language, especially poetry, to Consciousness and Human Values in an access the transcendent, arguing that mythology and Interconnected World.” This volume’s special topics poetry can realign consciousness toward greater section highlights six of the approximately 70 offerings transpersonal insight and understanding. at that conference. Glenn Hartelius has selected, com- In “Myth, Archetype and the Neutral Mask: Actor piled, and edited presentations from Vladimir Maykov Training and Transformation in Light of the Work of on Russian transpersonalism, Jason Wright on the nar- Joseph Campbell and Stanislav Grof,” Ashley Wain rative approach to self-image, Vitor Rodriguez on psy- ii The International Journal of Transpersonal Studies, 2005, Volume 24 chic attack, Mark Burno on spiritual culture, Rupert Tower on the shadow in organizations, and Tanna Jakubowicz on the transpersonal basis of taking action in the world. Together, these present an array of inno- vative transpersonal work happening within the European community on transpersonal themes. Finally, we are pleased to offer a reader’s comment in the form of a poem-story from Kidder Smith, titled “A Love Letter.” The interface between the spiritual and the carnal is playfully celebrated in questioning the amalgam of two during love-making, as “who is who is who?” As the third volume of the International Journal of Transpersonal Studies under our editorship goes to press, we want to thank Saybrook Graduate School and Research Center for its sponsorship, our reviewers who have worked diligently in providing guidance in the selection of articles, as well as our board members for their continuing support. Harris Friedman, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus Saybrook Graduate School and Research Center Douglas A. MacDonald, Ph.D. Associate Professor University of Detroit Mercy Editors’ Introduction iii iv The International Journal of Transpersonal Studies, 2005, Volume 24 Nondualism and the Divine Domain Burton Daniels This paper claims that the ultimate issue confronting transpersonal theory is that of nondual- ism. The revelation of this spiritual reality has a long history in the spiritual traditions, which has been perhaps most prolifically advocated by Ken Wilber (1995, 2000a), and fully explicat- ed by David Loy (1998). Nonetheless, these scholarly accounts of nondual reality, and the spir- itual traditions upon which they are based, either do not include or else misrepresent the reve- lation of a contemporary spiritual master crucial to the understanding of nondualism. Avatar Adi Da not only offers a greater differentiation of nondual reality than can be found in contem- porary scholarly texts, but also a dimension of nondualism not found in any previous spiritual revelation. he purpose of this paper is to clarify the funda- tle and profound realizations inherent within them. mental nature of reality, which is frequently His body of work covers a sprawling expanse of spiri- Tconfused in transpersonal psychology: nondu- tual literature and can be deemed not only a mam- alism. Perhaps nowhere in transpersonal psychology moth undertaking, but a work of extraordinary value has nondualism received a more thoughtful treatment for both science and spirituality. Humanity has bene- than in Wilber’s (1995, 2000a) spectrum/quadrant fited immeasurably from his work. However, for all its theory. Wilber initially posited a spectrum theory of scope and remarkable cogency, it is not unprece- consciousness, in which he integrates all psychological, dented. philosophical, and spiritual treatises on the develop- The Ruchira Avatar, Adi Da Samraj (1991, ment of human beings—from the inception of one’s 2000b) has also written extensively, lucidly, and beau- Very Being into an incarnated birth to their attain- tifully about nondual reality. Avatar Adi Da’s revelation ment of Divine Enlightenment and immersion in of nondual reality takes place as part of an overall nondual reality. His quadrant theory goes on to elabo- schema that accounts for all aspects of human develop- rate on this depiction of consciousness, organizing the ment and incarnate being: the seven stages of life. These vast expanse of existence into four fundamental stages progress through a potential sequence of human dimensions: interior and exterior, as well as individual maturation, spiritual growth, and Divine and collective. Every aspect of existence is thought to Enlightenment in any given individual’s life (see Adi be subsumed within the general structure of an all- Da, 2000b, pp. 103-131, 385-390): inclusive consciousness—indeed, even the nondual First Stage: individuation and adaptation to the reality that serves as its ultimate ground and final physical body. denouement. Second Stage: socialization and adaptation to the Wilber has written extensively, lucidly, and beau- emotional-sexual (or feeling) dimension of being. tifully about nondual reality. His passages on God and Third Stage: integration of the psycho-physical Spirit are carefully crafted and offered lovingly. personality